The Georgetown Raiders kept their winning ways alive and well on Saturday night with a big 5-2 win on the road against the Toronto Patriots. If you missed the action, here’s what you need to know!
Heading into the game, the Raiders and Patriots had met three times previous this season, with Toronto leading the series at 2-1-0-0. Georgetown had averaged 4.6 goals per game, while Toronto had averaged five goals in those three contests. Sitting fifth in the conference going into Saturday, the Raiders needed a big effort to secure two valuable points against a team below them in the standings; exactly that happened.
The first period proved to be a back and forth affair. Toronto scored the lone goal of the frame on the power play, and took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. Georgetown looked poised to score, but couldn’t find a grade-A opportunity in the first period.
Kristian Lamanna tied the game under five minutes into the second period for the Raiders. Georgetown was hungry and in attack mode, looking for scoring opportunities and chances. Toronto took a 2-1 lead around the halfway point of the period, before Quinn Tavares scored a power-play goal to tie the game back up at two.
From there, it was all Georgetown. Three third-period goals were scored by Gabe Ciarallo, Quinn Tavares and Teddy Puccini to give the Raiders a 5-2 win. Georgetown controlled the final period and commanded the flow of play, stifling Toronto’s attack and limiting chances. Impressive, to say the least. In a game where momentum was everything, Georgetown’s control of play in the final frame indicated a team that's ready to win.
5-2 is where this game would end, and two valuable points secured. The winning streak is now at four games and Georgetown looks poised to keep it going this coming week.
Georgetown now sits in fifth place in the West Conference at 55 points. Georgetown is only two back of Buffalo for fourth place, and sits in a tie with Burlington for fifth. It’s going to be a tight race to the conclusion of the season.
The Raiders have two games on the card for this upcoming week. Thursday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m., the Raiders visit Wayne Gretzky Sportsplex in Brantford for a battle with the 99ers. Then, Saturday, Feb. 17 at 5:30 p.m., the Raiders return home to welcome the Leamington Flyers to the Alcott for a big West Conference battle.
Catch all Raiders games live on flohockey.tv.
